How to Legally Cite the Alabama Constitution

Cite legal materials in publications such as law journals and legal briefs by using the format guidelines provided by the Bluebook. The most-used reference manual for legal citation, the Bluebook instructs attorneys and writers how to cite court cases, statutes and constitutions. The Bluebook includes an extensive list of abbreviations. Cite any of Alabama's six constitutions by using the abbreviations to identify specific parts of the constitution you referenced.

Instructions

1. Name the Alabama constitution you are citing by using the Bluebook abbreviations "Ala." for Alabama and "Const." for constitution. For example: Ala. Const. of 1901. Do not underline or italicize the name of the constitution.

2. Indicate where in the constitution you found the information you are referencing by listing elements such as the part, article, section or clause.

3. Use the Bluebook abbreviation "pt." for part, "art." for article, "cl." for clause and the symbol "§" for the section.

4. Reference this example when citing an Alabama Constitution: Ala. Const. of 1901, art. X, §1, cl. 3. (Alabama Constitution of 1901, Article 5, Section 1, Clause 3).

References

• Georgetown University: About the Bluebook
• Jacksonville State Univesity: Legal Citations
• Penn State: Bluebook Abbreviations
• The Alabama Legislature: An Overview of Alabama's Six Constitutions

Resources

• The Bluebook: Tour The Bluebook Online